Spoing

Pull back and let it rip.

Chillingo, no stranger to addictive iPhone and iPad games, just released another potential hit called Spoing. Developed by Games2be, this quirky App takes place in a fantasy world populated by creatures obsessed with rainbow diamonds. When a mysterious figure steals these precious stones, a critter called Spoing (hence the title) sets off to reclaim them through 50 diverse caverns full of pitfalls.

How you guide Spoing is what makes the game unique. Instead of using a virtual d-pad and buttons, you pull back on pieces of elastic to propel him into the air, similar to a slingshot. Touching a hard surface kills him instantly, so the only way to reach the goal is to move between elastic platforms.

That said, the developers added a nice layer of depth in the form of enemies, moving platforms, diamonds in hard to reach places and the constantly ticking clock that counts up, not down. The longer it takes to beat a level, the less chance you have at moving forward, a play element that forces you to speed up.

It's a sweet game overall, thanks in part to the user-friendly touch controls. The story is forgettable and it's a shame that Chillingo released an HD version for the iPad (instead of making it universal), but we still had fun navigating through each stage.

All of this makes Spoing a fine addition to the App Store that's definitely worth a look, especially if you're into Angry Birds and/or Cut the Rope. Download it.